Cost of Living Comparison Between Montreal and Okotoks Cost of Living Comparison Between Montreal and Okotoks

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,042 per month in Montreal vs $2,274 in Okotoks, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,163 per month in Montreal vs $3,175 in Okotoks, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,284 per month in Montreal vs $4,076 in Okotoks, rent included.

Montreal is about 10% cheaper than Okotoks, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Montreal and Okotoks sit above the global median – Montreal by 49%, Okotoks by 66%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Montreal
Okotoks
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.22 CA$25.49
$10.72 CA$14.99
69.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.6 CA$98.8
$78.3 CA$109
-9.74%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.89 CA$15.23
$10.00 CA$13.98
8.90%
Cappuccino
$3.92 CA$5.48
$4.00 CA$5.60
-2.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 CA$2.76
$1.60 CA$2.24
23.12%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 CA$2.23
$1.64 CA$2.30
-3.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.52 CA$9.12
$5.13 CA$7.18
27.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.24 CA$10.13
$4.96 CA$6.93
45.97%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Montreal
Okotoks
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.29 CA$3.20
$1.58 CA$2.20
44.94%
White Bread (500g)
$3.11 CA$4.35
$2.20 CA$3.08
41.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.03 CA$4.24
$2.96 CA$4.14
2.36%
Eggs
$3.59 CA$5.03
$3.60 CA$5.04
-0.28%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.29 CA$19.99
$11.11 CA$15.53
28.62%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.39 CA$15.93
$11.40 CA$15.94
-0.09%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.56 CA$20.37
$18.59 CA$26.00
-21.68%
Apples (1kg)
$3.44 CA$4.81
$3.97 CA$5.55
-13.35%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 CA$2.14
$1.29 CA$1.80
18.60%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.20 CA$4.48
$4.33 CA$6.06
-26.10%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.89 CA$4.04
$4.09 CA$5.71
-29.34%
Potato (1kg)
$1.91 CA$2.67
$2.17 CA$3.03
-11.98%
Onion (1kg)
$1.80 CA$2.52
$1.91 CA$2.68
-5.76%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.56 CA$3.58
$2.48 CA$3.47
3.23%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.50 CA$2.10
$1.86 CA$2.61
-19.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.68 CA$16.34
$12.57 CA$17.58
-7.08%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.62 CA$14.85
$11.74 CA$16.42
-9.54%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.37 CA$3.32
$3.61 CA$5.04
-34.35%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03 CA$4.24
$3.00 CA$4.20
1.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Montreal
Okotoks
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.72 CA$3.80
$2.47 CA$3.46
10.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.2 CA$104
$54.7 CA$76.5
35.70%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.19 CA$4.47
$2.88 CA$4.03
10.76%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.45 CA$2.03
$1.37 CA$1.91
5.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$33.52 CA$46.89
$21.27 CA$29.75
57.59%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 CA$1.83
$1.04 CA$1.45
25.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.7K CA$40.1K
$27.9K CA$39.1K
2.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4K CA$28.5K
$19.6K CA$27.5K
3.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
Okotoks
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.2 CA$109
$226 CA$315
-65.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.53 CA$49.70
$41.51 CA$58.1
-14.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$43.37 CA$60.7
$56.0 CA$78.4
-22.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
Okotoks
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.84 CA$43.13
$26.91 CA$37.64
14.60%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.99 CA$27.97
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.58 CA$16.20
$12.34 CA$17.25
-6.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Montreal
Okotoks
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$552 CA$772
$761 CA$1,065
-27.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.5K CA$23.1K
$9,820 CA$13.7K
67.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
Okotoks
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.4 CA$77.5
$41.58 CA$58.2
33.21%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.30 CA$53.6
$47.74 CA$66.8
-19.77%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.0 CA$138
$61.0 CA$85.3
62.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 CA$146
$72.8 CA$102
43.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Montreal
Okotoks
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,234 CA$1,725
$1,225 CA$1,714
0.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$990 CA$1,385
$1,155 CA$1,615
-14.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,171 CA$3,036
$1,716 CA$2,400
26.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,636 CA$2,288
$1,621 CA$2,267
0.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,129 CA$7,175
$3,167 CA$4,429
61.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,724 CA$5,209
$3,093 CA$4,326
20.40%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Montreal
Okotoks
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,059 CA$4,279
$2,988 CA$4,180
2.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.44
4.32
2.78%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Montreal: September 13, 2026

Last update for Okotoks: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,234 in Montreal versus $1,225 in Okotoks. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 2% higher in Montreal, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $71.0 in Montreal versus $78.0 in Okotoks. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $354 vs $366 – making Montreal the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Montreal vs Okotoks: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Montreal or Okotoks?
Okotoks costs about 11% more than Montreal, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Montreal and in Okotoks?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,063 per month in Montreal and $3,411 in Okotoks. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Montreal or Okotoks?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Montreal, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Montreal or in Okotoks?
Groceries cost about 3% more in Okotoks, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How do dining costs compare in Montreal and in Okotoks?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $71.0 in Montreal and $78.0 in Okotoks. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Montreal or in Okotoks?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Montreal, where all-in costs run around $2,042, than in Okotoks at $2,274. In Montreal it covers expenses comfortably, while in Okotoks it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Montreal or Okotoks?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Montreal costs $2,042 versus $2,274 in Okotoks. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Montreal compared to Okotoks?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Montreal or to Okotoks?
If budget matters most, go with Montreal. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Okotoks makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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